The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015 (see FAQ for exceptions), are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 15, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

Turnips are out, carrots are in--at least in this adaptation of the classic Russian folktale and in Jan Peck's The Giant Carrot (1997). Vagin begins with Daisy and Floyd, a pair of gardening bunnies who one day discover an enormous carrot serendipitously springing up among the hollyhocks and sunflowers. The duo attempts to pull the carrot out, ``but the carrot stayed put. It wouldn't come out.'' All their farmyard friends happen by, joining in the exercise of removing the enormous carrot. While the text is unembellished, the pictures provide visual fanfare--animals tumble topsy-turvy, tangled in the carrot's green top after tugging all day long. Their success results in a carrot banquet, complete with ice cream, salad, soup, tart, cookies, and pie. The familiarity of plot and repetition of phrase will create eager anticipation in readers, while the large format, bright primary palette, and anthropomorphized animals will keep listeners involved from any spot in the room. (Picture book/folklore. 3-6)

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